Saudi Arabia is host to various international sporting events this year. Some events held in the country include a tennis exhibition, Formula series race, world heavyweight title match, and a golf tournament. Thus, Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal calls sports a tool for change.
By hosting various sports events, Saudi Arabia wants to influence social changes in the country. Also, the prince wants to encourage Saudis to watch sports. However, some big-name athletes are staying away from the state. Also, they say the events divert the attention away from the country’s human rights abuses.
Prince Abdulaziz said that his kingdom is facing criticisms, whether they do something or don’t. The prince is the head of the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia. He oversees organizing international sporting events in the country.
Sports – Tool for Change in Saudi Arabia
The GSA didn’t release its budget to the public. However, it did state that it has a $667 million budget to improve local clubs. The GSA supervises all sporting events in the country. One of its upcoming events is the Dakar Rally on January 5, according to PPH sportsbook sources.
Saudi Arabia is changing. Also, it wants to open to the world. Through sports, the kingdom seeks to attract more tourists. Its tennis exhibition tournament featured eight top male players. It was the first time the kingdom held a major tennis tournament, according to sportsbook pay per head reviews and news sites.
Amnesty International and other groups expressed concern that the kingdom is using sports to change its image and the reputation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. There was international outcry after the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
The columnist wrote criticisms against the crown prince before he was killed in a Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a group of Saudi agents. Pay Per Head reporters found out that some of the agents worked directly under the crown prince.